IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS AND THREATS AGAINST EPA (ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREAS) – IN JUNDIAÍ-CABREÚVA (SERRA DO JAPI) THROUGH THE FILLING OUT OF FORMS BY THE VISITING PUBLIC

Abstract

The EPA Serra do Japi located within three important urban-industrial centers of São Paulo state- São Paulo city, Jundiaí and Campinas - is subjected to an intense environmental degradation. Studies that identify the main threats to the EPA, are necessary for the establishment of efficient monitoring programs to preserve the area. Thus, the aim of the present study is to analyze the viability of forms filled out by the visiting public, and sent

to the local authority by the Municipal Guard, as a means of evaluation and documentation of the threats in Serra do Japi. Reports related to the fauna have shown that wild animals have been found throughout the city, mainly in urban areas. Fishing at forbidden sites has been recorded in urban areas and surrounding neighborhoods of the EPA. Fire sites are predominant in the preservation area and in the immediate surroundings. The most affected area is the inner part of the EPA because of difficult access. The lack of patrolling is probably the biggest influence in the decrease of attending to detrimental incidents from one year to another. Such form filling has beeen shown to be adequate as a means of documentation in the identification of internal and external threats to which the Serra do Japi is subjected.